Man poses as police to carry out robberies

Thach Hoai Bien, 25, and three accomplices, Duong Lonl, Ly Thai Nguyen and Thach Thi Si Vol, aged 23-34, are now under investigation for robbery, police of Ben Luc District announced Wednesday.

According to the police, on the early morning of Dec. 22, a 22-year-old man was driving a motorbike in Ben Luc District as he was pulled over by Bien and his gang, who were driving two motorbikes.

Bien introduced himself as a police officer under cover, and requested the man to present his ID and related papers as he was “showing signs of transporting banned products.”

As the motorcyclist was confused and dropped his guard, Bien and three others attacked him, snatched his mobile phone and took control of his motorbike.

One member of the gang drove his motorbike while another sat at the back to hold him, saying they must take him to a police station.

Halfway along the road, they pushed him to the side of the road, and drove away with his motorbike, valued at VND70 million (US$2.86 million).

Police tracked them down several days later.

Speaking to police, Bien said the gang had left the motorbike at a pawn shop for VND18 million and split the money. He also said this is not the first time he had committed such a crime.